The international aid sector is a multi-billion dollar industry that has continued to grow in size, influence and complexity since the 1970s. The stakeholders are globalised and diverse, from elite UN politicians in New York and Geneva to malnourished infants in Somalia. This study attempts to focus on the professional development of one category of player in this multifaceted sector, that is the expatriate field leader employed international non-government organisations (INGO) and responsible for the implementation of projects in a cross-cultural environment. The study found that relationships, results, and grit were three foundational traits of exemplary expatriate filed leaders in the international aid sector. This collective case study takes a grounded theory approach to explore the professional journeys of 12 exemplary expatriate field practitioners in the international aid sector who work in Central Asia, Middle East, and North Africa with ten different INGOs and have an average of 12.5 years of field experience. The participants were nominated for the study by their supervisors or peers as being exemplary field leaders. The study purposes to gain insight into the professional journey of exemplary field leaders by examining their work-life experience from age 18 until present. Biographic narrative interviews were conducted and supplemented with professional development timelines to create the initial data set. The study provides insight into the processes of professional identity formation of expatriate aid workers and identifies seven events that shape their professional self-identity. These experiences consist of a variety of reflected appraisals and intrinsic rewards that validated or changed how the research participants saw themselves. Participants credited good relationships and seeing the results of their work as what keeps them going in spite of difficulties. On the other hand, the most difficult work experiences of the aid workers were not carjacking, riots, dust, heat, bugs, strange food, or low funding but relational conflicts and the grief associated with relational disappointments. Interpersonal relationships were core to both the best experiences and the most difficult experiences of the research participants. Gritty appears to be a better construct to describe exemplary field leaders than resilient. Grit is a trait defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals. The research participants demonstrated grit in many situations, not least of which was in their commitment to learn the local language in-situ of crisis-affected people. The research participants believed that learning local languages was a key to establish and maintain meaningful relationships and cooperation with local people. The study also includes a discussion of an apparent incongruity in the international aid sector. On one hand the sector promotes the necessity of humanitarian professionals to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with crisis-affected people, but survey evidence suggests most workers in the humanitarian sector put a low priority on learning the languages of crisis-affected people while others do not have sufficient opportunity to learn the local languages because of the well-entrenched tradition of short-term employment contracts of 1-12 months and the practice of churning (rotating experienced staff from project to project). It appears that the current system of doing business in the humanitarian sector may actually obstruct professional competence and contribute to failed outcomes.

Annotation: The diploma thesis is aimed at processing the issue of adaptation of volunteers sent by humanitarian organizations on missions abroad. First, the humanitarian help and development aid with volunteering and principles of international volunteer cooperation are described. Second, the adaptation in relation to work abroad is characterized including tools for managing the adaptation process. Data were drawn from academic resources and reports issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and nonprofit organizations operating in the current field. The empirical survey objective is to identify and compare how adaptation of volunteers sent to foreign missions is being carried out by Czech organizations including ADRA, Brontosauři v Himalájích, People in Need, INEX-SDA, Doctors without Borders, SADBA and SIRIRI. The tools for managing the adaptation in these organizations will be compared as well. A method of qualitative semi-structured interviews with Human Resources managers ensuring the adaptation of volunteers will be used to gather the data. Furthermore, there will be made questionnaire survey with volunteers from each organization that have undergone an adaptation process within the last two years. It will be ascertained whether adaptation processes meet the needs of volunteers based...

Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) is a persistent and pervasive humanitarian issue, exacerbated by complexities inherent in global conflicts. Recognising the widespread character of CRSV, the need for comprehensive measures to combat it becomes apparent. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where CRSV remains a prevalent element in the conflict, Panzi Hospital stands out for its specialisation in assisting survivors. The hospital has developed a holistic care model known as the Panzi Model, which serves as a guiding framework for their efforts. In an increasingly interconnected world, characterised by blurred borders and interdependence among societies, the importance of knowledge transfer (KT), especially while acknowledging the importance of an intersectional approach, becomes evident. This study aimed to assess stakeholders' perceptions of the transferability of the Panzi Model, with a specific focus on its transfer from the DRC to Ukraine, facilitated by the Mukwege Foundation. Employing a qualitative mixed-methods approach, empirical data was collected through interviews and document analysis. The analysis was guided by a theoretical framework—a process model for KT developed within the scope of this research, integrating intersectionality into all its phases. Key findings reveal optimism regarding the model's adaptability, but significant challenges persist, including cultural barriers and a lack of conscious decision-making processes of KT. While efforts have been made to raise awareness and provide support services in Ukraine, challenges remain, including a disproportionate focus on advocacy efforts, leaving limited space for tangible medical and psychological support efforts––both key components of the Panzi Model. Findings also revealed the complexities of deciding whether to establish one-stop-centres (OSCs) or to work through referral systems. In conclusion, the study suggests that while the philosophy of the Panzi Model can be transferred, its full implementation requires nuanced adaptations. Recommendations include transparent disclosure of adaptations and a focus on underlying principles rather than rigid methods. Additionally, the study advocates for fostering international civil society collaboration and prioritising long-term aid for sustainable development. Overall, successful application of these concepts requires contextual sensitivity and ongoing collaboration among stakeholders.

Unmanned aircraft vehicles were primarily used for military purposes and are still used for them. Not only for this reason is their introduction for humanitarian aims disputable, raising various dilemmas. Supporters of humanitarian drones put emphasis on/emphasize their speed, security, data amount and the possible employment of new technology in extreme environments. Critics of humanitarian technologization stress the loss of neutrality and impartiality, politicization and militarization of humanitarian aid. Consensus does not even exist amongst academics in the field. Contemporary literature is primarily targeted on the controversy of dual-usage of UAVs and on potential technical advantages with emphasis on immediate assistance. The literature dealing with ethical issues of humanitarian drones in connection to humanitarian and development practice outside the conflict zone is almost absent, and only marginally or indirectly treats the issue. The aim of this paper is to analyse potential advantages and disadvantages of humanitarian drones' proliferation within the theoretical framework of The Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations in Disaster Relief, which deals with basic dilemmas in humanitarian aid. This thesis does not...